Illuminated signboard



Feb. 1 7. 1925.

DJ J. MURPHY ILLUMINATED SIGNBOARD Fi'lpd Mav ?4 H2911 Patented Feb. 17, 1925.

UNIT STA S DANIEL IlIURIHY, OF' BROOKLINE, BIASSAGHUSETTS.

ILLUIYIINATED SIGN BOARD.

Application filed May 24, 1924.

The principal feature of the present in-- vention is the provision of a novel electric switch which is intended to be used in conjunction with means operated by a depressible section of a railway track at predetermined intervals for the purpose of illuminating a sign disposed in close vlcinitv to the track.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and drawing.

In the accompanying drawing form ng part of this application and in which l ke reference characters are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

The single figure discloses a sign board, an electric circuit therefor and the improved track controlled switch for the circuit, the latter, in the main, being shown in section.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the letter S designates a suitably constructed sign or signboard which is adapted to be mounted within close vicinity of the railway track T. At its top the sign is provided with a shield or the like A which serves to cast the light rays from the electric bulbs B downwardly onto the inscription appearing upon the sign. For the purpose of supplying the lights with current, a suitable electric circuit is provided, the same including the wires IV and the battery C.

As before stated, an improved switch, which is controlled by the depressible sec tion of the track is provided for opening and closing the aforesaid electric circuit. In the first showing, the. switch is composed of complemental parts 1 and 2 respectively, the part 1 being secured to a plate 3 which traverses vertically upon the inverted U- shaped guide 4. This guide, together with the other part- 2 of the switch is mounted upon a second, but larger plate 5 which is mounted for vertical sliding upon the guide Serial No. 715,733.'

"k. pins 6 secured to the top plate of the supporting standard 7 If desired, coiled springs 8 may surround the pins 6 between the plate 5 and the top plate of the standard.

Also for the purpose of automatically disengaging the elements 1 and 2 of the switch, additional springs 9 may be employed and may surround the vertical portions of the guide 4: between the plates 3 and 5 as seen in the drawing. It will be observed that the plate 3 is connected to the lower end of a reciprocating rod 10, the upper exposed end of which carries a suitably designed clamp 11 for connection to the base flange of the track rail.

For the purpose of protecting the parts of the switch mechanism, I employ inner and outer casings 12 and 13, the last named of which is connected to the head plate of the aforesaid standard.

In practice, the signboard will be mounted in close vicinity to a railway track and will be arranged so that the advertising matter thereon will be properly displayed to the passengers in the passing cars. The electric circuit will be so located that a supplemental switch (not shown) will be available for turning the current off or on as desired. As the switch before described constitutes the means for normally controlling the passage of current through the circuit, it is obvious that when a train passes over the track section T, it will depress the plunger 10. In so doing, the elements 1 and 2 of the switch will be brought into engagement with each other and the circuit will be closed. Thus, the advertising matter on the sign will be displayed through the light rays thrown thereon. After the train has assed ovr the track section, which may be of any length, the elements of the switch will be automatically disengaged by the spring means shown and the device will be set for further operation.

Although the preferred embodiment of the invention has been very specifically described, it is understood that minor changes coming within thescone of the subjoined claim may be resorted to if desired.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim is In a device of the class described, a vertically disposed standard having a head on its upper end, guide pins carried by said standard a supporting plate slida-bly mounted on said pins, a guide carried by said plate, switch elements: also carried, by said p1ate,-a second plate vertically movable on said guide,-switch elements carried 'by said second named nlates and.;adapte l Fmcoaction with said first named switch elcments, a vertically reciprocable plunger con" nected with the second named plate, springs c-oactingwith said,;plate,: and a housing for theaforesaid'parts, said-housing being connectedwitli the head of said standard.

In testimony whereofi I-aflix my signature.

DANIEL J. MURPHY. 

